The nurse receives a client from the post-anesthesia unit with a new onset of sinus tachycardia and a heart rate of 118 beats per minute. To which reasons does the nurse relate the increased heart rate? (Select All that Apply.)
Anxiety
Sleep
Fever
Hyperglycemia
Blood loss
Correct Answer : A,C,E
A. Anxiety:
Anxiety can lead to an increased heart rate due to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. When a person is anxious, their body releases stress hormones like adrenaline, which can stimulate the heart to beat faster. This increased sympathetic activity can cause sinus tachycardia, where the heart rate is faster than normal.
B. Sleep:
While sleep can affect heart rate variability, causing fluctuations in heart rate during different stages of sleep, it typically does not cause a significant and sustained increase in heart rate like sinus tachycardia. Sleep is more likely to influence heart rate patterns rather than directly cause sinus tachycardia.
C. Fever:
Fever, especially in response to infection or inflammation, can lead to an elevated heart rate. The body's response to fever includes increased metabolic activity, which can raise the heart rate as part of the physiological stress response. Fever-induced sinus tachycardia is a common finding in individuals with infections.
D. Hyperglycemia:
While hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) can have cardiovascular effects over time, such as contributing to atherosclerosis and heart disease, it is not typically a direct cause of sinus tachycardia. Sinus tachycardia is more commonly associated with acute stressors like anxiety, fever, or hypovolemia (such as from blood loss).
E. Blood loss:
Significant blood loss, such as during surgery or due to trauma, can result in hypovolemia, where there is a decrease in blood volume circulating in the body. In response to hypovolemia, compensatory mechanisms kick in, including an increase in heart rate (sinus tachycardia), to maintain blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): CPR is not indicated in this scenario unless the client experiences a cardiac arrest. Chest pain during an exercise stress test does not automatically warrant CPR.
B. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin to allow the client to finish the test: Nitroglycerin is typically used to relieve angina (chest pain) associated with myocardial ischemia. However, in this case, the exercise stress test should be stopped to evaluate the cause of the chest pain before administering nitroglycerin.
C. Stop the test and monitor the client closely: This is the correct action. Chest pain during an exercise stress test may indicate myocardial ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart muscle), and stopping the test allows for further assessment and evaluation of the client's condition.
D. Administer analgesia and slow the test: Administering analgesia (pain medication) is not appropriate without first determining the cause of the chest pain. Slowing the test may not address the underlying issue and could potentially worsen the client's condition if they are experiencing cardiac-related chest pain.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. The nurse stays with the client for 15 minutes after beginning the transfusion:
This action is appropriate as it ensures the nurse monitors the client closely for any immediate adverse reactions during the initial phase of the transfusion.
B. The nurse primes the blood tubing with lactated Ringer's solution:
This action is incorrect and potentially dangerous. Blood tubing should be primed with normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) solution, not lactated Ringer's solution, to prevent potential adverse reactions or hemolysis of the blood products.
C. The nurse starts the infusion at a slow rate for the first 15 minutes:
This action is appropriate as it allows for the initial assessment of the client's tolerance to the transfusion and reduces the risk of adverse reactions.
D. The nurse witnesses the client sign the consent form for the blood transfusion:
This action is appropriate and ensures that the client has provided informed consent for the procedure.
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